Chinese philosophy

Chinese philosophy

Chinese philosophy is comprised of various ideologies developed through social organization, cultural practices, and religious beliefs. There are several philosophies generated during the early years of china’s civilization that governed society and its governance models. Chinese philosophy has often been described as humanism due to the integration of social change facilitated by the conquests that took place during this era. The three main philosophies applied in governance were Confucianism, Daoism, and legalism. These three theories emerged amidst the instability and political chaos in China, especially in the Zhou period resulting in the development of numerous intellectual thinkers. These intellectuals developed various theories on measures that could be incorporated to help create stability and reduce discourse and chaos in society. This essay focuses on the three main philosophies developed during the Zhou era determining the philosophy that was best suited to promote peaceful co-existence in the community.

The three philosophies presented were developed to deal with the chaos and unruliness in Chinese society during this era. However, each of the belief systems aimed to solve disputes in a unique manner that helped achieve peace based on philosophical ideologies that later gained prominence. Among the major philosophies that were developed during this period is Confucianism. This philosophy was developed towards the end of the Zhou dynasty to try and repair the chaos caused by the feudal lords fighting over land*. Confucianism introduced a system based on moral responsibility, thus helping restore order in society. This philosophy also helped instill order in the society by enforcing respect for elders in the community and adherence to set laws and traditions*. This theory introduced a form of leadership that required the leaders to lead by example because those under them looked up to them as mentors.

This philosophy was also based on the belief that human beings are inherently good; thus, the belief that goodness and wisdom beget the same in others*. This is a factor that is supported by Chan on the book regarding chines philosophy, where he refers to Confucianism as a theory covered by a singular sentence. In this area, the author quotes Confucius’s words that the theory is summarized by the rule of not having any depraved thoughts (Chan 22). This theory was, therefore, seen to relay on social morality to facilitate peaceful co-existence among individuals.

The other philosophical theories developed during the warring states era are Daoism and Legalism. The later was seen to explore political concerns and models of governance aiming to minimize the chaos characterizing the Chinese region in the fifth century. This is a theory that incorporated the use of violence and punishment to gain power and control of an area as the overall ruler (Chan 278). As the author elucidates, legalism introduced a new style of governance where the leaders did not hesitate to use aggression, regimentation, and even war to achieve more political power. The theory was built on the base of individualistic actions and the accumulation of wealth and power. This brings out a major difference between legalism and the other major philosophies making it the least attractive; however, this does not necessarily make it the least effective. Consequently, the philosophy has been associated with the development of dictatorships as well as the unification of china through the formation of regiments.

Daoism, on the other hand, is a philosophy that is not based on adherence to any rule or social stipulation because it is based on Dao, also termed as the way. The Dao is described using a complicated method on wisdom, knowledge, and silence, which shows its lack of conformity even with definitions*. Daoism is therefore presented as a complex philosophy due to its contradictory description where an individual who knows the Dao is said to be one who does not speak because a wise person keeps not only his mouth but his gates closed as well*. This theory is presented to be quite laidback because it integrates willful ignorance, where people do not engage in knowledge-seeking, social organization, politics, or any form of public life. This is because the individuals following this theory did not believe governance was a source of order in society. Rather, Daoist believed that social order and harmony would only result from individual decisions geared towards the promotion of peace in society*. This theory was, therefore, focused on the modification of errant behavior from an individual point of view to help promote unity and peace.

Daoism is seen to have various similarities to Confucianism, while legalism shows more differences to the other two theories. These philosophies can be analyzed based on the most effective in enforcing unity and harmony in society, focusing on the differences in their operation. Efficiency, in this case, is determined through the methods applied in attaining peace and harmony and the effort required to achieve it. Legalism is presented as the most radical idea because it incorporated the use of force to facilitate the acquisition of power over other individuals in the community (Chan 251). While this model was shown to be successful in creating order, it was generally based on fear rather than loyalty. It was often riddled by rebellion, thus making it ineffective in its operation. Since legalists were only focused on the accumulation of power, they often used violence and intimidation to gain control and exert power over others in society*.

The high level of brutality integrated is seen to have been the cause of its inefficiency, where it sparked various rebellions, thus leading to the ultimate loss of power. This is displayed using the case of the Ch’ in empire, which held power between 221 and 206 B.C and through its downfall (Chan 251). this empire was recognized as one of the strongest and most fearless in china, however its involvement in violent activities resulted in its decline. Although this philosophy failed in maintaining peace in society it successfully facilitated in unification of china. Legalism is a philosophy that was developed through totalitarianism practices that promoted an authoritarian rule (Chan 251). This theory is further seen to be the least effective due to its lack of continuity or scholarly studies in its ideologies and operation. Legalism lacking scholars or schools teaching this philosophy is used to further point out the flaws in its operation compared to Confucianism and Daoism theories. In fact legalist schools were not available until around 90 BC making the first prominent legalist scholar Kuan Chung who was the prime minister to the Ch’i dynasty in 645 B.C (Chan 252). Kuan’s ideas are attributed to legalism because he applied a dictatorial form of governance where the head took control of all matters, making him supreme and the final authority in the region.

Legalism promoted strict rules and harsh order with collective punishment in instances where these rules are not followed. This model is presented as quite effective in preventing dissonance in the community due to the punishments incorporated, as well as the despotism generated through centralized rule*. The practice of legalism is associated with Shang Yang, who was a Qin statesman and a reformist. Yang is widely recognized for his contribution to the development of this philosophy through the integration of humanity, a factor that also separates it from Confucianism*. Shang facilitated peace in the community by issuing harsh punishment for light offenses, which deterred individuals from engaging in criminal activities. He believed in the theory of deterrence where a crime was associated with unruliness in society; therefore, the belief that issuing strict punishment for petty offenses deterred more serious crimes*. This is a mode of governance that was seen to be quite effective in generating order and cohesiveness in society this making it more efficient compared to the Daoism approach.

The Dao form of governance is seen to follow a superficial ideology which is based on improving individuals to promote peace in society. This philosophy believed that peace was not generated through good leadership. Rather, the ideology was based on the basis that the improvement of individual members in the community eventually improves society as a whole*. Daoism is seen to focus on the creation of harmony by ensuring individuals are one with nature, thus protecting the environment while maintaining harmony. The focus of this philosophy was, therefore, on the modification of individual behavior to enhance harmony with the Dao, thus aligning activities with the natural order of the universe*. According to this perspective, human beings are the cause of chaos in the world because they are the only species that goes against the natural order of things.

Daoism presents a perspective that is focused on the benefit of all individuals involved through the restoration of the natural order. Consequently, Daoism is seen to be better than legalism in promoting harmony in society because it aims at improving the participation and perspective of all stakeholders involved, thus restoring the natural order, which promotes peace and harmony*. While legalism is focused on the attainment of power and totalitarian control of the subjects by those in power, Daoism integrates the Wu Wei practice, which thrives in inactivity and stoicism. This theory is seen to have worked more efficiently compared to legalism because it did not integrate the use of force and was focused on improving the lives of individuals in society. Daoists believed that harmony was achievable by incorporating measures that put a stop to the struggle over power*. This belief was associated with the analysis of chaos where the need for riches and power was seen to reduce crime, envy, and war in the society, thus improving the conditions and resulting in peace and prosperity.

Confucianism is a philosophy that greatly influenced civilization in early china during the fifth century. This is the most prevalent philosophy during the warring era, where several schools came up to teach its ideologies. Confucianism was driven by moral stipulations and general social guidelines in the community. This ideology dictated that individuals must practice respectful interactions, especially with the elders, where it is seen to follow filial piety*. This is depicted through the philosophy’s emphasis on the importance of respect not only for the elders but also for traditional and cultural practices. The theory promoted ethics in society as a method of maintaining peace and stimulating the formation of strong bonds that promoted unity and morality*. The fact that this theory did not integrate forceful operations such as those integrated into legalism made it more successful in persuading members of the public to behave ethically.

Confucianism is also depicted as an effective philosophy in facilitating peaceful co-existence through its belief that people are inherently good. According to this theory, goodness in society is brought out through rigidly following the set moral guidelines and code of conduct and respecting tradition. This perspective was especially very important during the war because it continues the practice of social norms and traditions grounded people, thus promoting harmony and togetherness despite the strife experienced*. These practices have extended into a modern society where neocolonialism is practiced, thus showing its efficiency is the promotion of peace, unity, and harmony in society. This is shown through the emphasis on the importance of both words and deeds aligning both actions and the individual state of mind (Chan 25). Due to the cohesiveness associated with this ideology, it is likened to a single thread associating activities to a single mind governing activities conducted. Confucianism is therefore seen to have more advantages over the other theories developed, thus showing it as more effective in promoting peace and harmony in the community.

Generally, Confucianism is focused on moral stipulations and respect of existing social norms and traditional practices. Through following these stipulations, individuals can reduce crime and violence in society. Legalism, is an approach that not only integrates punishment but violence as well. From the analysis provided, this philosophy follows totalitarian governance this promoting dictatorship. Daoism, on the other hand, is depicted as a passive peace promotion technique because it is less focused on politics or social rules. The three philosophies played a major role in the development of civilization and governance style during the warring states era.